Archive for February, 2009

We’ve been offering a new workshop this winter where we open the shop to locals who want to build their own boards, but wanna use our tools. It’s been really fun, and for one of the guys we pushed ahead our plan to expand the dimensions of the fun-shape that we built for Layne Beachley last year. Chris’s board is coming out so well, we’re going to push that board up in our never-ending queue of things to do and get it into the line within the next couple of months. This should be a super shape, as a seven-time world champion surfer helped to design it. The original was only 6′-10″ x 18-1/2 x 2-3/8 which is pretty small for a funshape. The new board will have the same contours and lines, but will be puffed up to 7′-4″ x 21ish. We’ll shoot out a newsletter when it’s ready. Thanks Chris for messing with our priorities!

Layne and loving her board in Hawaii

The original Layne Beachley design

It’s funny that when folks arrive at the shop for a visit or a class in board building, we never know where it’s all going to end up. Board and kit customers also seem many times to become part of a weird little extended family all centered around the simple act of building and surfing wood.

Last summer, Jeff Martin came down from British Columbia on the west coast of Canada to take a board building class. He left with a story that he and Nick put together for Surfer’s Path Magazine (reprinted here in our Board Stories Section). Recently, he was back again – this time building a 5′4″ Waka fish and getting an interview for SBC Surf’s Magazine.

We also had a great visit from the guys at The Daily Stoke who were full of questions and were… well, stoked. They posted an article about their visit. Thanks, guys.

Fact is, we owe thanks to these guys and to hundreds of others who have just plain done us the honor of caring about what we do. But beyond that, some friends – both old and new – have helped us in all sorts of ways that continue to make a difference and are greatly appreciated. Whether its lending boards or digs when we’re on the road, or helping us with blown engines or good advice, thanks to all of you.